Turkey's president has issued threats against Israel regarding its operations in Syria, Yeni Safak reported Wednesday, marking another diplomatic confrontation between Ankara and Jerusalem.
In a combative address to his party, Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded Israel cease what he termed "aggressive actions" in Syria, warning of "negative consequences." "Starting with Israel, the forces attacking Syrian territories must immediately put an end to their aggressive actions. Otherwise, the consequences will have a negative impact on everyone," he said.
With regard to the war with Hamas, Erdogan continued his hostile rhetoric toward Israel. "With the establishment of a ceasefire in Gaza, where genocide and massacres have been ongoing for 15 months, an important opportunity will arise for lasting peace and stability across the entire region. We are closely following the ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, and we hope to receive positive news as soon as possible."
The statements come as Syria's transition government under Prime Minister Ahmed al-Sharaa seeks international support for reconstruction efforts. Turkey has positioned itself as a key supporter of the new Syrian administration.
While claiming to support Kurdish rights, Erdogan maintained his hardline stance against Kurdish autonomous regions. "We are followers and supporters of the solution to all the issues of our Kurdish brothers, just like every other group in Syria, and we are the guarantor of the security of the Kurds," he said.
